I got this letter from one of my Boot Campers and thought I would share. Do you have a “What doesn’t kill us makes us strong!” story? Share below.
Hi Ginny,
How many times have you said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” in our Boot Camp classes? Usually, I grit my teeth and sometimes make a sarcastic comment (either out loud or in my head) as you put us through our paces one more time. Well, today, I finally “got it.” Not only that, I really believe it.
I set out today on a bright, blue-sky, sunny afternoon to hike up the North Face of Alyeska. No big deal. I grabbed a friend and we started our climb. I knew it would be a slow-go, but knew I could do it. And besides, the sun was shining. As we made our way up, the weather clouded over. I thought, “Hmm, this isn’t good.” Then we hit the snow field. That was definitely not good. I don’t like climbing in snow when I’m prepared for it, much less when I’m not.
Within moments, the temperatures dropped and the winds picked up. We were on a steep pitch (40 degrees, I think) I had no traction and my hip, which as you know gives me problems, decided now was a good time to stop working. “I’m not strong enough,” I thought. “What the hell was I thinking?” “I can’t do this.” All of these thoughts and lots of other negativity were in my head.
I sat down and thought now what? We can’t go up…too slippery, hip not letting me walk right, cold, rain coming in. We can’t go down…too slippery and waaaay to scary to try to slide down. I had visions of tumbling right off the mountain in my head (this could kill me, I thought). I was “this close” to calling security and sitting there until someone came to get me.
Two things got me through.
One was Glenda. My Boot Camp buddy who came with me and encouraged me and reminded me that 3 times a week I prove just how strong I can be. She stayed positive and encouraged me…why she didn’t just toss me off the mountain and continue to the top on her own, I have no idea, but I am eternally grateful that she didn’t.
The other thing was really Boot Camp. Boot Camp has made me strong enough physically to get through that kind of situation. Mentally, I heard your voice saying, “What doesn’t kill us makes us strong,” and I thought this stupid mountain is not going to kill me. “Get your butt out of the snow and get up there,” I said to myself. And to my surprise, I did just that.
Boot Camp has given me strength at 59 that I didn’t have when I was 40. It has given me the confidence to sign up to climb Kiliminjaro in the fall…at 59! Each morning when the alarm goes off and I think, “just 5 more minutes,” I remind myself, “What doesn’t kill us, makes us strong!”
Thanks!
Bev
Not only is Bev on her way to climbing Kiliminjaro in September, she has set another lofty goal for herself. She is raising money for African orphans with AIDS. You can help her reach her $5,000 goal by clicking here or visiting http://www.globalallianceafrica.org/personal/bevpeterson
Our next Boot Camp begins August 3. Visit www.alaskafit.com to sign up or just find out more.
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